Royal Portrush Golf Club

Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland, BT56 8JQ

028 7082 2311 | E-mail golf course | Golf course website

13 reviews of Royal Portrush Golf Club

I had the fortune of playing Royal Portrush last week, and it's a real treat. It thoroughly deserves the attention being heaped upon it right now, given the prominence of McDowell, Clarke and Northern Irish golf in general. The Irish Open should be a fantastic event as the course is already in immaculate condition. Seeing the course laid out down by the coast as you drive down from the Causeway Coast road is a truly exciting prospect, and the welcome in the clubhouse is everything you could hope from a club of this heritage. Make sure you take a few minutes to look at all the memorabilia in there - loads of Open history, and modern bits like Rory's course record 61! When you play the course it's hard to believe how he managed that score. The route is really well balanced, fair and above all enjoyable. Highlights for me were the 4th, a brilliant par-4 with OOB all the way up the right, and of course the 5th with it's incredible views of the cliffs, the beach and the massive dunes that form Royal Portrush's backdrop. Coming in, there's the 14th, which is a pretty daunting par-3 that's 200+ yards, straight up the hill and with nothing but a steep bank of knee-high rough for anything short. It takes no prisoners... Admittedly, we were really lucky with the weather, but this is really a course that merits its ranking. Spectacular visually in a way that a lot of the traditional links aren't and a joy to play. Another bonus is the genuinely friendly nature of the members, another breath of fresh air. Top five for me.

Posted by Jeff Woodford on 23/04/2012
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

An unbelievable execution and use of natural features make this course one of the best i have played. Played in mid april, course was in superb condition and i could not have been more impressed. The highlights for me were the impeccable 5th, with a tough downhill, semi-blind tee shot to a mild dog legging fairway, to a green that is perched on the White Rocks of Portrush, and the aptly named 'Calamity Corner' which is one of the toughest Par 3's to grace the game of golf.The course is fair, and in calm conditions a score can definitely be made, but with the predominant wind off the irish sea, this course can quickly become an animal as well.I would advise befriending a member however in that the green fee is steep when playing without one, and comes down considerably when you do. Overall, a phenomenal place to stay and play, with quality to match its reputation as one of the top courses in the UK. enjoyed every minute and will certainly be back.

Posted by T. Way-Rider on 20/04/2009
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5

All I can say is WOW! What a layout, the course was in great condition considering the large amount of rain that NI had over the past few weeks and hole to hole consistency is outstanding - no real weak holes on the whole course. We played on a Sunday where the round lasted ~5 hours but weren't the least bit upset - we just got to spend more time in a beautiful setting. Mark from Oklahoma

Posted by Mark Morrow on 25/08/2008
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5

Played this course yesterday and it is quite magnificent it has surplanted Turnberry as my number 1 course . Get a caddy for the group it makes it so much easier and we lost no balls! The greens are tough to read and the caddy was excellent furthermore although there is only one blind shot his lines made the course a real pleasure to play. A tough but fair course on which a good score is possible but you must drive well and take your medecine if you miss a fairway .

Posted by mark till on 18/06/2007
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

I played the course Sept 8, 2006 a nice day, very moderate wind and no rain. I heard that this course was a driver's course and now I know why. You must keep your drives in the fairway if you hope to score well. A good caddie also can make a difference here as the greens can be tricky to read. I thought it was one of the best courses I have ever played, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I couldn't wait to play it again so I booked a second game the next day. The views along the beach are also quite compelling on the front nine. I highly recommend this course to anyone who loves playing links golf.

Posted by Dennis Langrell on 27/12/2006
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

The best course I have ever played, bar none. A very exacting test, but hit the ball straight, avoid the bunkers and chip and putt well and you will be rewarded. It is not impossible provided you do the above. The rough is very tough so if you end up in it, take your medicine and find safety. We started off in horizontal rain with strong winds but finished in bright sunshine with that ever present wind. The fairways have a magical, hallowed turf feel to them as you walk down them amongst the humps, hollows and dunes, while the views are simply stupendous. Never mind what some ratings lists say about 1, 17 and 18, they only appear to be weaker holes in comparison to the other 15 stunning holes, but are still fine, challenging golf holes. Enjoy yourself on every hole, but especially so on 4, 5, 8, 14 (Calamity) and 16. I came away with a handful of pars, many bogeys and much worse when I was united with the rough but enjoyed every shot and every second.

Posted by Mark Cummings on 31/07/2006
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5

Without a doubt the best golf course I have ever played.Very fair holes...hit it straight, putt and chip decently and you will be rewarded. Ignore the wind or hit it crooked...prepare for a long day.In the British Isles it is the only course I could play everyday......and I do,as I am fortunate to be a member.James Bruce Penson

Posted by James bruce Penson on 03/12/2003

A classic for the ages!!! While Calamity deserves all the acclaim as an incredible par-3, the remaining 17 holes have nothing to envy. Tough with narrow fairways and deep rough, but never unfair since always giving the player "safer" options. For a good score, a "humble" strategy is a safe bet.

Posted by Cyril Muller on 09/08/2002

Having played both the courses in the last week of May I can only say, 'what a pair'. Classic links, especially the valley, super views, experienced 4 seasons of weather in one hour! Sun, Rain, Hail and the ever present wind. Hard work but enjoyable.

Posted by Don Miller on 06/06/2002

Certainly one of the best - if not the best - course I have played. Tough but fair. Unfortunately bad weather arrived when we reached "Calamity" - which reduced the hole to farce! Exceptional.

Posted by stuart on 13/05/2002

Royal Portrush was an extremely difficult test, but had some truly amazing holes highlighted by Calamity, the monsterous Par 3 voted the favorite by 12 man group that played 14 rounds in Ireland. The rough was beyond brutal, and you were often better off to skip looking for the ball and drop one with penalty. The course conditions were excellent, and the variety of shots were outstanding, with several risk reward holes that gave at least a chance for a decent score. Would definitely play it again, but would sure like a little sunshine next time.

Posted by Sean Sorrell on 19/10/2001

A savagely-difficult course in the wind, even for a decent mid-handicap. The rough was a real problem and golf balls were left to rot. Many holes were too long to be fun. Spectacular sand dunes and bunkering, but not worth the money in my opinion. Try Castlerock along the coast for much better value and a less stern/more enjoyable round.

Posted by Brian Huddart on 17/08/2000

Home to the British Seniors Open this past three years and for the next number as well, a tough test of golf set in beautiful surroundings. The rough here really is, so staying straight is very much the thing to do. Many excellent holes, the most famous of which is probably the par 3 14th known as Calamity. An "all duck or no dinner" type hole, requiring a long carry over a valley to reach the green. Much satisfaction will be derived from playing this one well.

Posted by Michael Hopper on 08/07/1999

Course information

Number of holes 18
Year opened -
Designer -
Style links

Tee information

TeesYardsParSSS
Competition
Men's681872
Ladies'

Green Fees

Summer/High season

Weekday round£70
Weekday day£25
Weekend round£80
Weekend day£32

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Weekday day-
Weekend round-
Weekend day-

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